The Viral TikTok Claiming Women Could Be Drafted Amid U.S. Support For Israel

As President Joe Biden threw U.S. support behind Israel in its war with Hamas, a viral TikTok this week suggested that women could be drafted into the U.S. military. Despite no announcement from the White House or Biden, the expletive-ridden video has been viewed millions of times in the past few days, rejecting plans allegedly being made to legislate for female conscription. This claim has sparked significant discussion and concern among viewers, particularly those with daughters of draft age.

The TikTok, created by user nationalmechanicsgroup, also known as John Robinson, was posted on October 13, 2023, and has garnered 5.9 million views. In the video, he expresses outrage at the suggestion of drafting women into the military, stating, "Let me get this right, you want to pass a law to draft my daughter to send to another one of your foreign f****** wars for something you created?" His passionate delivery has resonated with many, leading to widespread sharing and commentary.

While the video does not make explicit reference to President Joe Biden, it is clear that Robinson's criticism is aimed at current U.S. leaders and military policies. The inclusion of hashtags related to both political parties further emphasizes this point. However, it is important to note that there is currently no evidence supporting the claim that the U.S. government is planning to draft women into the military, nor is there any indication that a draft is imminent.

As per the U.S. Selective Service program, which governs conscription, only men are required to register for the draft. The U.S. Department of Defense has recently dismissed rumors of a draft, stating that they stem from misinterpretations of military recruitment reports. Therefore, while discussions around the draft and military service are relevant, the specific claim of women being drafted is unfounded and lacks any official backing.

Another TikTok, posted by user inversenews, also known as Timothy James, on September 19, 2023, has similarly sparked debate by suggesting that women aged 18-26 should be prepared for military service due to recruitment shortfalls. James's video has been viewed over 4.3 million times and quotes various news stories about the military's current recruitment challenges.

However, the context surrounding James's claim needs clarification. His reference to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2022, which included proposals for women to register for the draft, is misleading as the proposal was ultimately removed from the final legislation. Moreover, attempts to include female conscription in subsequent NDAA amendments were also unsuccessful.

In summary, while TikTok videos capturing public sentiment around potential military drafts are gaining traction, the claims made therein do not align with current government policies or practices. The U.S. Department of Defense has made clear that there is no plan to draft women, reassessing previous rumors as misreadings of military documentation. Therefore, it is essential for viewers to critically evaluate the information presented in viral content.